Major Counsel

Well, I still haven't completed my major yet, so I am certainly not the authority on the subject. But I will offer what I do know, especially since I've been in the workforce for years. Agreed. Of the countless people I know with college degrees, I've only met a handful who actually work in their respective field of study -- a very small percentage. As he said, specific fields tend to recruit their own, but the rest of the workforce often just wants a piece of paper.It is getting to the point now or days that a college level education is so commonplace that it has lost much of its value. For instance, in the military just 60 years ago, there was a huge disparity between officers and enlisted. The fact that officers were educated meant they were leaps and bounds more educated, and therefore more sophisticated, than the enlisted folk.Times have changed considerably. While they still serve as a vital function of the military, officers have nonetheless become more of a tradition, as there is no intellectual difference between most officers and enlisted. Heck, I know enlisted men with Masters and PhD's, whereas the officer just has a BA.The point is that college doesn't mean what it once meant. Employers are expecting more because there is nothing separating you from the thousand other applicants it received that year. While employers still like degrees, especially advanced degrees, they like to see experience coupled with it. Employers want an articulate, hard-working, intelligent, self-motivating employee. Proving to them that you possess these qualities is preeminent. I agree 100% I would definitely say so.

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“I know where I am and who I am. I'm on the brink of disillusionment, on the eve of bitter sweet. I'm perpetually one step away from either collapse or rebirth. I am exactly where I need to be. Either way I go towards rebirth, for a total collapse often brings a rebirth." -Andrew Jaramillo

Criminal Justice major, with a minor in fire science. I felt that I had a natural affinity for it, it interested me, I already work in that field. I had considered other endeavors like music, something I feel I also have affinity for. The problem is, something like music engineering is a crap shoot, and it also isn't as glamorous as it appears. Competition is fierce, but there are still a lot of fields that are wide open. Health care is doing very well these days. An RN makes really good money now or days. I've even heard doctors say that nursing is often more lucrative than being a doctor for the simple fact that they don't have to pay insurance or malpractice suits. (Even if you are good doctor, there is an excellent chance you will be sued by some disgruntled person. Even winning a case is costly). Interning is fantastic, and very impressive on a resume. They see that you volunteer your time in an academic pursuit for increased knowledge. You would be a lot more marketable. An English major is almost certainly a dead end, though. You can teach public school and make 25k a year. You might be able to write for a magazine or newspaper, but they really are looking for very talented writers (something I believe can't be taught) who majored in journalism. Archaeology would be a fantastic choice, but, yes, that is one of those careers where your major and internship will almost certainly segue you in to the field. They don't make oodles of money, but if it is doable, and is personally fulfilling, I think it would make for a fantastic career choice. At least you're brooding. Some people wouldn't give it much serious thought. The fact that you are taking it seriously is a good sign in respect to your work ethic and motivation, which is an A++ for a prospective employer. Keep up the good work No worries, and best of luck in your endeavors.

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“I know where I am and who I am. I'm on the brink of disillusionment, on the eve of bitter sweet. I'm perpetually one step away from either collapse or rebirth. I am exactly where I need to be. Either way I go towards rebirth, for a total collapse often brings a rebirth." -Andrew Jaramillo

Yes, I agree. It is incredibly provocative and intellectually stimulating for me. I am not too concerned about income. I would rather make beans doing something I love than make millions doing something I dread, but if I can find a field that pays at least 40k/year, and do something I enjoy, then I've likely found a winner. You may be a perfectionist, which sounds counterintuitive. Perfectionists are so consummed by the prospect of achieving perfection that sometimes the thought of failure prohibits them from trying. Alas, it's a vicious cycle.

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“I know where I am and who I am. I'm on the brink of disillusionment, on the eve of bitter sweet. I'm perpetually one step away from either collapse or rebirth. I am exactly where I need to be. Either way I go towards rebirth, for a total collapse often brings a rebirth." -Andrew Jaramillo